ancestors stories
"I am more grounded, in-rhythm and centered in myself. I feel more certain I am in the right place to play my role and help create a collective impact that looks like us. I am closer to healing long-concealed wounds that will break chains so I can show up fully as myself."
Power 50 participant
Description: This centering practice helps to ground participants in knowledge that they have a legacy of wisdom, strength, creativity, resilience and many other attributes from which they can recognize their own greatness.
Purpose:
To model a commitment to protecting space and time for centering practice
To draw on ancestors as a tool for discerning greatness
Outcomes:
Participants learn a practice of mindfulness drawn from our ancestors’ gifts
They have more awareness of their body and breath and receive loving kindness
Process: 60 minutes minimum with 14 people (15-30 minutes for opening and framing + 2-3 minutes per person for sharing)
Harriet guide me today
teach me generosity
adaptation and bravery
teach me the beauty of each small cluster
moving north, moving together,
moving towards liberation
teach me rigor
teach me humility
teach me to listen to the divine
directly, to let myself be well used
remind me that you did the work in hiding, in danger, hoping no one would know your name
teach me to sing when the way is clear
teach me to make freedom more compelling than the slow death of slavery
teach me to work alone and in interdependence that requires astonishing trust
break my heart in order to keep me moving
keep my mind set on freedom
remind me that all the time
and even now
my people are free
Excerpt from harriet is a north star by adrienne marie brown
